The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-06
HENRY WARD BEEOHER.
Litchfeld, Conn.-His Native Town-Histor-
ical "reminiscences.
BY MRS. MARY @. BILLINGS.

At the ffty-fourth annual meeting OF
the New York Association of Congrega-
tionelists in Plymouth church, Syracuse,
N. Y, there was special service. Among
the remarks made at this memorial SER
vice of Henry Ward Beecher, which oc-
CURED at that time, Rev. Lyman Abbott,
New York, declared that "Mr. Beecher be.
lieved in a providential redemption OF
all men," This accords with our previ-
vious ideas of Mr.. Beecher's attitude
toward this great question of ultimate
salvation. Though this one phase Of
Mr.. Beeeher's belief did not, AS might
have been inferred from my article on the
great preacher published in The UNI
vERsALIsT just before his death-consti-
tute him Universalist in all it's full
ness, it embraced the great central truth
of our faith.
Mr.. Beecher was born in my own nat
i've town, but his father, DR.. Lyman
Beecher, after having served as pastor
over the Congregational church there for
1
a number of years, in which position he
was very popular, removed to Boston.
This was before my remembrance, but
from childhood was accustomed to hear
anecdotes Of the Doctors witticisms, his
eccentricities, and his strong good sense.
Litchfield, Conn, the shire town of the
county whose name it bears, is historic.
Among the many interesting and noted
people, whose names are connected with
the place, old DR.. Lyman Beecher's is not
the least. In the Doctors biography,
published years ago, many incidents are
told, and illusions made to his life while
there.
Our own family being Episcopalians,
though acquainted with the good Doc
tor, were not on intimate terms. In
those early days there was, if not "a great
gulf fixed between the two churches, or
rather between "the church" and the
"meeting house." there was less social
mixture, SO that while perfectly friendly
there was not close intimacy between the
two denominations. While pastor there,
DR.. Lyman Beecher, who was a born re-
vivalist, or rather from his strength of
character, never, did half-hearted work,
and being a believer in snch excite
ment, he "got up" = yes, think this
is the proper way to put it big awak-
ening that swept through good portion
of the town. With his stalwart arm, the
ologically speaking, he moved down a
swath of sinners, and increased his
church membership largely. No doubt he
did much good, for he was thoroughly
good man, with enough of human sympa-
thy, and human-what shall we say-nat-
ure? yes, with some of its weaknesses-to
draw and hold the people. 1t is remark
| able and curious fact, that during the
course of this revival, Col. Talmage Of rev.
| olutionary fame-who was the captor Of
Major Andre and an honored resident OF
the town, became one of DIR. Beecher's
converts. The readers Of our revolution
ary history will recollect that after An
DIRE, in the guise of a countryman, had
been arrested and commanded to halt,
and being examined, nothing was found
upon him to show that he was other than
an honest man going alone through the
country about his own business, he was
then dismissed. But as he was walking
away, Col. Talmage recognized in his gait
that of military officer and had him re-
arrested. The ColonePs quick eye and
knowledge of military drill, thus saving
the country from-we know not how
much disaster-and putting an end to the
life Of the unfortunate Andre. In those
days of war and eviI, for war can never
be anything but wrong-the tories living
on Long Island were subjected to pill
lage and indignities. Dol. Talmage had
done his part in this work; and now,
when successful and wealthy merchant
he came under the influence of DR.
Beecher's iron power, and was brought to
conviction, his remorse for those old
deeds of plunder was severe. 1t is
said he walked the house and groaned
in spirit while under this remorse Of
conscience. 1t was suggested by DIR.
Beecher as ScIiptural and right that to
ease his conscience, he should restore to
those from whom be had taken their
goods fourfold. This he could not do,
and in fact, how could he tell to whom he
should render back what had been taken
so long before as the spoils Of war?
How the matter was adjusted we never
heard, but we remember when little
child seeing the venerable old Colonel
who had long before retired from busi-
ness and was residing in an elegant
mansion. He was beautiful man, with
stately bearing and snowy hair. He was
benevolent and every way noble, and
died lamented by all, as an honorable
gentleman, and friend and helper OF the
poor and unfortunate. But we did not
intend running on to historical matters
when setting down the item at the begin
ming of this article.
The young Henry Ward Beecher's life
in old Litchtield was happy one; and as
long as he lived, he cherished strong love
for his native town, its beautiful scenery,
its grand history, and the home life at
the parsonage then full of children, of
fun and OF happiness.
Hieo, Te1as.